"I, Patrick, a sinner, and the most unlearned and the lowest of all the faithful, utterly despised by many. My father was Calpornius, a deacon, and my grandfather Potitus, a priest. I was brought up near the town of Bannaven Tiburnia. At the age of sixteen, before I knew God, I was taken captive and shipped to Ireland, along with thousands of others.
When I arrived in Ireland I was sent to tend sheep. I used to pray many times each day, and, as I prayed, I felt God's love fill my heart and strengthen my faith...I felt no fear...because the Spirit was so fervent within me...
May God never separate me from his people on this island, which stands at the very edge of the earth.
And may God always make me a faithful witness to him, until he calls me to heaven."
(From The Confession of Patrick, in Celtic Fire, ed. Robert van de Weyer)
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